Self-starter for electric motors.



No. 844,663. PATENTED FEB. 19, 1907,

I H, H, CUTLER.

SELF STARTER FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 12, 1905.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY H. CUTLER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE CUT-LER-HAMMER MFG. CO., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OFWISCONSIN.

SELF-STARTER FDR ELECTRIC MOTOFI$.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 19, 1907.

Application filed May 12, 1905. Serial No. 260,107.

Be it known that I, HENRY Il CUTLER, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county ofMilwaukee and State of \Vrsconsm, have invented new and usefulImprovements in SelF-Starters for= Electric Motors, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, referencebeing had to the accompanying 1o drawing, forming a part of thisspecification. My invention relates to a self-starter for electricmotors, the object being to provide means whereby the armatureresistance of an electric motor may be automatically rci 5 moved fromcircuit during the starting of the motor.

A further obj cct of my invention is to limit the amount of current usedin accelerating the motor and also to simplify the usual commercial formof apparatus of this character.

In accordance with my invention I providcin circuit with the armature cfthe motor i the usual starting resistance and a plurality ofelectromagncts arranged to be succes sivel y operated, which in turnremove portions of the starting resistance from circuit, whereby thearmature is permitted to start and gradually build up in speed untilnormal operation results. In practice I dividc the arlnature resistanceinto sections and provide a magnet for controlling each of the severalsections, the first electromagnct being arranged to be energized by theclosing of a switch controlled either by the operatci or by automaticmeans. The energizing of the first electroniagnct closes themotor-circuit through all of the armature starting resistance and alsocloses the energizing-circuit of the second electromagnet. The secondelectrornagnet thus energized short-circuits the first section ofstarting resistance and also closes the energizing-circuit of the thirdelectromagnet, which in turn cuts out the second section of resistanceand energizes the fourth electromagnet, and so on through the seriesuntil all of the starting resistance has been removed from circuit.Unless some means be provided for limiting the time of energizing thevarious electroniagnets they would become energized: one after the otherwith greatrapidity, and I therefore provide atiming device whichprevents too rapid energization oi the various electromagncts, and thusprevents the cutting out oi the resist- :5 ance more rapidly than isdesired.

I I have illustrated my invention in the accompanying drawing,SiluWll'lg the diagram- ,r inatic view of my invention and the circuitarrangen'ient thereof.

1' In accordance with my invention 1 provide a resistance 1, which isarranged in the circuit oi the arn'iaturc 2 and is divided intosections, each section being ccntrolled by one of the switches 3, 4, and5, which are operated by the solenoids 6, 7, and S. 'l hearmaturecircuit is controlled by a switch 9, which when closed admitscurrent to the armature with all the resistance in circuit. The switch 9is operated by the solenoid 10 Each of the switches 3, 4, 5, and 9 isprovided with andoperates additional switches 10, 11,

12, and 13, respectively, which, are adapted when closed to close thecircuit throughthe magnet of the next succeeding switch. Anoverload-magnet is arranged in the'urinae tore-circuit and operates aswitch 16, which when clcscd short-circuits the resistance .14 incircuit with the solenoids 10, 6,7, and 8'.

A vibrating solenoid 17-is provided, which is adapied to operate theswitch 18, arranged in the circuit of the magnets 10, 6, 7, and 8 andwhen closed to short-circuit the resistance 14 of this circuit. Thismagnet is. so constructed and arranged that the time of vibration of theplunger thereof may be controlled and will operaie as slowly as desired.The plunger or core 19 of this magnet is provided with a brassextension-rod 20, having secured. thereon an. adiusiable nut 21 at itsouler end and a second. adjust able nut 22 inierincdiaie of its outerend and the point at which it is connected with the plunger 19. The rodis adapaed to work through a slot in the pivoted swii ch 18, so thatwhen the j plunger is attract ed to the extreme upper pci siiion the nut22 will strike said switch, m0ving the some up into engagement with theiriction-retaining dead contactlS and open the same, and when theplunger'is dropped through a coi'isiderable distance the top nut 21-willstrike the switch and close the same. This switch 1.8 bridges the twocontacts 23 and 24 and by this'arrangement is adapted to control thecircuit through the winding of the solenoid 17. A variable resistance 25is connect ed'across the terminals of the winding of the solenoid 17andis thus arranged to form a shunt-path around the magnet to provide apath for the surge oi current or kick i when the circuit thereof isbroken. This surge being in the same direction as theenergizing-current, it maintains the magnet onergized longer than ifthis parallel path were posite main 36.

omitted. By this means the time of denergization is increased, wherebythe rapidity of the vibration of the core of the solenoid is decreased.By varying the amount of the resistance in this sln1n1t-path the time ofdocuergizing the solenoid may be varied, since the lower the resistancethe greater and longer the how of extra current and the longer the timerequired for decnergizing the magnet. The presence 01' this parallelpath also prevents the rapid building up of the magnetism in thesolenoid, for the reason that the current of seltinduction is opposed tothe energizing-current. By this arrangement a means of adjusting therate of vibration of the solenoid is obtained, and the resistance inthis shunt-path may be varied to obtain the desired rate of vibration.By the ar' rangemcnt of the switch 18 each time the switch is opened bythe vibration of the solenoid it opens the circuit though the winding ofthe solenoid 17 and also introduces the resistance 14 into the circuit,which includes the windings of the solenoids 6, 7, 8, and 10, whereb 1these solenoids cannot attract their plungers until the resistance hasbeen shortcircuited. by the switch 18, when the plunger 19 permitted toagain drop. The solenoids with the resistance in circuit are, however,of sullicicnt strength to hold their plungers they have been onceattracted.

in operation, assuming that the switches 26 and 27 have been closed,current will l'low 'l'rom thev main 28, through the switches 26 and 27,by conductors 29 and 30, through the windings of the solenoid 10, thenceby conductor 31 to contact 32, across the switch 16, to contact 33, andthence-by conductor 34 to the switch 18, which bridges the contacts and24 across the switch 18, by conductors 35 and 46 and switch 26 to .theop This energizes the winding of the solenoid 10 and causes the same toattract its plunger and closes the switch 9 with thecontact 37 and theswitch 13 with the contact 88. The closing of the switch 9 admitscurrent to the armature 2 with all the resistance in circr it, and thecurrent will tier-r from the main 28, through conductor 39, across theswitch 9 to contact 37, by conductor 46, through all of the resistance1,

= thence by conductor 41 to contact 42, by

conductor 42 through the winding of the overlcad-solenoid 15, and thenceby the conductor 44-, tl'n'ough the armatnreavinding 2, thrciigh theseries field-winding 45 and back by conductor 46 to the opposite main36. The .uotor is thus started with all the resistance in circrit, andat the same time the closing of the switch 9, and thereby the switch 13,c J=mplctes the circuit through the winding of the solenoid 6,andcurrent will flow from the main 28, through. conductor-r39,

across the switch 9, auxiliary switch 13, contact 38, through thewinding of the solenoidswitch 6, 'to conductor 81. At the same time thatcurrent is admitted to the solenoid 10* a branch circuit is establishedthrough conductor 29, conductor 47, through the winding of the solenoid17, by conductors 48, across the switch. 18, and by conductors 35 and 46back to the opposite main 36. The winding of the solenoid 17 is thusenergized, causing the same to raise its core, which opens the switch18, thereby inserting the re sistance 14 in the circuit of the windingof the magnets 6, 7, and 8 and preventing suilicient. current flowingtherethrough to operate the .same to close the switches controlledthereby; The magnet 17, as previously explained, however, is a vibratingmagnet, and as soon as its plunger 19 is attracted it opens its owncircuit and the plunger is permitted to drop, short-circuiting theresistance 14 and pore mitting the next magnet 6 to o'perateto attractits plunger and close the switches 3 and 10 with the contacts 48 and 49,respecthefirst section of the resistance 1 and permits the motor toincrease its speed, ,while at the same time the switch 10 closes thecircuit through the winding of the solenoid 7. However, the switch. 18lhLSPlBViOIlSlY dropped down to its normal position, as be foreexplained, and closing the circuit. through the winding of the solenoid17 thus energizes the same and causes it to attract its plunigcr 19,which again opens the switch 18 and inserts the resistance 14 incircuit, thereby preventing the magnet 7 from attractingits plunger andclosing switch 4. The resistance, however, only reduces the strength.ofthe magnets to such a degree as to prevent them from attracting theircores, but not sufficicntly to prevent thenrfrom holding the cores afterthey have bcernattractcd. The solenoid 6 .will therefore hold its switchclosed. The vibration of the magnet 17, however, will againcausethe'switchd8 to 'close, short-circuiting the resistance 14 andperi'nitting the magnet 7 to close the switches 4 and 11 withthecontacts 50-and 51. The closing of the switches 4 and 11 cuts outanother section of the resistance 1 from. the armature-circritand alsocloses the circuit through the winding of the magnet 8, which in turnattracts its plunger and closes the last switch 5, cutting out allresistance from the arinature-eircuit, the magnet 17 again ;operating,as previously described. When the last switch. 5 is closed, the switchor arm 12 closes the small switch.52 and completes a circuit front. theconductor 47 through the winding of the magnet 17, condiictor-48, cnductor 53, across the switch 52, conductor 54, through the resistance14, and by'conductors 35 and 46 to the opposite main 36.

tively. The closing of the switch 3 cuts out ICC 5 n itained in aIsis-"i 'p. ition, wnci. re-

tains the resistance 1 in the sire oi ti nmgncts l0, 6, and i; andreduces t rsntwiiich pssses therethrough. c; .t current perm ted to passtin-c1 i the ts in rions inc eiswi h control the lGs ""l."Ti(-C theirswitches "11 n cioscd in, but winch i rot si'dlic'ient to close ones inevent the open. By pron s contiumi'iis path for tho current 'lhroi 1;:{he winding oi the magnet 17 no thereof is nntintiiincd in c rinsed andthis iusgnet is therefore er ciattiuu with respect to the rcn'isiininguni-gunis.

The prov ii! of the unignct 1-5, in the an: Ll Hi'e.-ei1ifi!li.

H'ili at current llcwing, ails.- provides nu w .d..i mitiniii dcvicc, usin eyrui" cl on \;"(?'l( it(i upon motor sui'iicicnt cur it 2. themagnet to cause t e and open 9h, inserting the resistcnco is inciristnnce-contra'iiting inz.., nt nc operation of ti some un- LI i i; is .1 1 pass Linwl gi since to attract its clung 3 id the motor has huiltup speed.

ii die I have thus described one arr: renirnt oi my invention, it willhe under; rd t d i do not wish to limit myself to the specinidelsiisdescribed, there are nuniero 5 rhungcs which he nut 'le without do:

ing from the spirit of my inyei'itnin.

.iizi-ving thus described iny inventi i lziiin as new, and desire tosecure l:-

i i i. cm, is 4 'i he combination with motor, or" :1 pincfcontroiiing-nuignets therefor, each of which clcses an operoting-cirouitfer the next su ceeding magnet, resistance in ci cuit with. saidmagnets, and menus operated. by rinined Variations of 1'nc'tor\i:urrcntinsert ing the resistance of said magnets in circ u it i'l'icrewi tli.

The conihinotion with :1 motor, cf :1 resistance therefor, a pluralityof n'izzgncts i'cr contrcilii'ig said re istizincc, each oi which closes:m operating-circuit fer the next sue cecding umguct, resistsnce incircuit with said magnets, and means operate l by prcdw teriuinedvztriuticns in the mrtor-currcnt i. inserting the rrisisionco oi sziidmagnets in circuit therewith.

3. The couihinstion with s motto ml :i pluiitcd ii on ("3W0 in thoinutoncircuit i'cr u rtmg the resistance or" siiid inn-grinds in iintuit therewith.

.c couihiniition witii a motor, (its rc- .iity of magnets in?controlling tire siunc, l

xid magnets, and means operated. by on in- .c motor-current torlnserting the ot Sal-1d magnets in circuit there- The combination with cmotor, oi it pluc-t controlling-imignets therefor, esch which elcsrs onoperating-circuit for the t su ,cicding nni-gnet, :i resistance incircurt with said insgncts, and :i magnet operated by predeterminedvariations in the in otcr-current i'cr opening a shunt-circuit for resuni-c rind thereby inserting the f sumo in the circuit of said magnets.

i of which closes which operates in event cl -13. The com hinittion witha 1n ctor, of n plurality of con rolling-magnets therefor, each onoperi'iting-circuit for the next sutic-ceding, magnet, and anelectromagnct operated hy prodetermined variations in the motor-circuitfor inserting the resistance of said magnets in circuit therewith.

7. The conihinzition with a resistance, of s plurality oi magnets forcontrolling the same, a. resistance in circuit with said magnets. and :imagnet operated independently of the variations in motor-current forinserting said second resistance in circuit and removing the sametherefrom.

8. The combination with a motor, of a resistznice therefor, a pluralityof magnets 0on :lling said resistance. a resistance in circuit withmagnets, and a magnet operated indeicndcnily oi the variations ofmotor-current f r periodically inserting said second-111cm tinnedresist-mice in and removing the some from circuit. i

9. The coinhinction with a motor, of a resistance, therefor n pluralityof magnets for coi'itrolling Eli-ill resistance, {L resistance incircuit with. said magnets, and a magnet operated independently of thevariations of motor-current for periodically opening and closing a,SlillUt-Tifitli around raid second-mentioned resistance.

10. Tic combination with a. motor, of a resistaiu'c therefor, aplurality of magnets for controlling: said resistance, a resistance. incircuit with said magnets, a. switch for controlling 1L sluint-pstharound said secondmcni'i'ncd resistance, and a magnet for periodicnllyiipvllillzj glifll closing said switch, said s\ iLch also cmitr-.,-llingthe circuit through said magnet.

11. The combination with a motor, of a pluralit of contnMing-magnetstherefor, a. magnet for controlling t time of operation of suid magnets,and means for causing said magnet to operate at predol'orn'iinedintervzils 12. The combination with a. motor, of a pluraiit ofoontrolling magnets therefor, escli wljiicli. closes anopcrating-circuit for 130 nets, and means for causing said magnet to aresistance for said magnets, an electromagmagnet for insertingsaidresistance in circuit the next succeeding magnet, a magnet forcontrolling the time of operation of saidmagoperate at predeterminedintervals.

13. The combination with a motor, of a i plurality of magnets forcontrolling the same, i

a resistance in circuit with said magnets, a

with said magnets, and means for'causing said magnet to operateat-predetermined in tervals.

14. The combination with a motor,,of a plurality of magnets forcontrolling the same, each of which closes an operating-circuit for thenext succeeding magnet, resistance for said magnets, an electromagnetfor inserting said resistance in circuit with said magnets, and meansfor causing said magnet to' operate at predetermined intervals.

15. The combination with a motor, of a plurality of magnets forcontrolling the same, an electromagnet for controllingthe time ofoperation'of said magnets, means for causing said magnet to operate atpredetermined intervals, and means for varying the length of saidintervals.

16. The combination with a motor, of a plurality of magnets forcontrolling the same,

net for inserting said resistance in circuit with said magnets, meansfor causing said electromagnet to operate at predetermined intervals,and means for varying the length of said intervals.

17. The combination with a motor, of a lurality ofprogressively-operating magnets tor controlling the same, a magnet forarresting the regressive operation of-said magnets, an means for causingsaid magnet to operate at predetermined intervals.

18. The combination with a motor, of a lurality ofprogressively-operating magnets or controlling the same, of aseriesrelay and a time-relay for arresting the progressive operation of saidmagnets.

19. The combination with a motor, of a plurality of magnets forcontrolling the same, each of which closes an operating-circuit for thenext succeeding magnet, of a series relay and a time-relay for arrestingthe progressive operation of said magnets.

20. The combination with a motor, of a plurality ofprogressively-operated magnets, of a resistance for said magnets, amagnet arranged in series, and a magnet operating at predeterminedintervals for inserting said re sistance in circuit with said magnets.

21. The combination with a motor, oha plurality ofprogressively-operating magnets for controlling the same, of a seriesmagnet, and a magnet operating at predetermined intervals for arrestingthe progressive operation of said magnets.

22. The combination with a motor, of a pluralityof'progressively-opcrating magnets,

of a series elay'd vice and a time-relay deg'ceiora rresting theprogressive operation of said magnets, and means for, varying the timeof operation of said time-relay device. 23. The combination with amotor, of a plurality of progressively-operating magnets or controllingthe same, o a series magnet and a magnet operating at predeterminedintervals, for arresting the progressive operation of said magnets, andmeans for varying the length of the intervals inwhich said secend-mentioned magnet operates. l

24. The combination with a motor, of a lurality ofprogressively-operating magnets or controlling the same, a resistancefor-said magnets, a series magnet and a magnet operating atpredetermined intervals for inserting said resistance in circuit withsaid magnets, and means for varying the length of intervals in whichsaid second-mentioned magnet operates.

25. The combination with a motor, of a resistance therefor, a pluralityof magnets for controlling said resistance, a resistance in circuit withsaid ma nets, means for insert-v ing in and removing from circuit saidsecondmentioned resistance, and means for rendering said meansinoperative when the last of said resistance-controlling magnets isoperated.

26. The combination with a motor, of a plurality of magnets foroperating the same, a resistance in circuit with said magnets, a magnetfor periodically opening and closing a shunt around saidsecond-mentioned re. sistance, and means for rendering said magnetinoperative when the last of said resistance-controlling magnets isoperated.

27. The combination with a motor, of a plurality of magnets, forcont-rolling the same, means controlled by predetermined variations inmotor-current for controlling the operation of said magnets, and amagnet operated independently of the variations in motor-current, forcontrolling the time in which said magnets operate.

28. The combination with a motor, of a resistance therefor, a pluralityof magnets for controlling said resistance, means con-' trolled bypredetermined variations of the motor-current for controlling saidmagnets,

! and a magnet operated independently of the variations of motor-currentfor controlling the time in which said magnets operate.

29. The combination with a motor, of a resistance therefor, -a pluralityof magnets for controlling said resistance, a magnet con- I trolled byvariations of motor-current for controlling said magnets, and a secondmag not operated independently of the variations of motor-current forcontrolling the time in which said magnets operate.

30. The combination with a motor, of a resistance tl1erelor,.a pluralityof magnets for controlling said resistance, a. resistance in resistancetherefor, a plurality of magnets for controlling said resistance, aresistance in circuit with said magnets, a magnet controlled bypredetermined variations of motor-current for opening and closing ashunt around said second mentioned resistance, and a second magnetoperated independently of the variations of motor-current for pcri 1odically opening and closing a shuntpath '5 around said secondmentionedresistance.

32. The combination with a motor, of a resistance therefor, a pluralityof magnets for controlling said resistance, a 11ia.giie'tcontrolled bypredetermined variations of motor-current for controlling said magnets,a second magnet operated independently of variations of motor-currentfor controlling said magnets, and means for rendering ineifective saidsecond-mentioned. magnet when the last of saidresis'tance-controllingmag-- nets is operated.

33. The combination with a motor, of a resistance therefor, a pluralityof magnets I for controlling said resistance, a resistance in circuitwith said magnets, a magnet controlled by predetermined variations ofmotor-current for opening and closing a shunt around said resistance,and a second magnet operated independently of variations in themotor-current for periodically opening and closing said shunt 'and meansfor rendering said second magnet ineffective when the last of saidresistance-controlling magnets is operated.

34. The combination with a motor, of a resistance therefor, a pluralityof magnets for controlling said resistance, a magnet for electricallycontrolling the operation of said magnets, and means for adjusting thetime of operation of said magnet.

35. The combination with a motor, of a resistance therefor, a pluralityof magnets for controlling sa1d res1stance,a magnet for eontrolling theoperations of said magnets, and means for varying the time reqrired l'ordeenergizing said ma -act to vary the rapidity of operation thcreo 36.The combination of a motor, of resistance therefor, a plurality ofmagnets for controlling said resistance, a magnet for controlling saidmagnets and a resistance in parallcl with said magnet to govern theoperation of the same.

37. The combination with a motor, of a resistance therefor, a pluralityof magnets for controlling said resistance, a resistance in circuit.Viiill said magnets a magnet for controlling a shunt around saidsecond-mentioned. resistance, and means for adjusting the time ofoperation of said magnet.

38. The eomhination with a motor, of a rc sistance therefor, a pluralityof magnets for controlling said resistance, a resistance in circuit withsaid magnets, a magnet for controlling a shunt around saidsecond-mentioned resistance, and electrical means for adjusting the timeof operation of said magnet.

39. The combination with a motor, of a resistancc therefor, a pluralityof magnets for controlling said resistance, a resistance in circuit withsaid magnets, a magnet for olosing a shunt around said resistance, andmeans for varying the time required for deenergizing said magnet to varythe rapidity of operation thereof.

40. The combination with a motor, of a re sistance therefor, a pluralityof magnets for controlling said resistance, a resistance for saidmagnets, a magnet for inserting in and removing from circuit, saidsecond-men tioncd resistance, and means for adjusting the time of ope'ation of said magnet.

51. The combinal ion with a motor, of a resistancc therefor, a pluralityof magnets for controlling said resistance, a resistance for saidmagnets, a magnet for inserting in and removing from circi it, saidsecond-mentioned resistance, and me: us for varying the timereqtired fordeenergizing said magnet to vary the rapidity of operation thereof.

42. The combination with a motor, of a re sistance therefor, a pluralityof magnets for controlling said resistance, a resistance forsaidmagnets, a magnet for inserting in and removing from circuit, saidresistancefor said magnets, and a resistance in parallel with saidmagnet to govern the ation of the same.

In witness whereof .l have hereunto 111bscribed my name in the presenceof two Wit ncsses.

ll l h RY H. CUTLER.

' \Yitnesses:

'l. E. BARNUM, F. S. ll 11.11011.

time of oper- IIO

